SBAC Testing Parent Opt Out
Over the past several years, our teachers and staff have been working to implement California’s Common Core Learning Standards in our classrooms. Now, we want to see how well we are doing and whether your children are understanding what they learn.
I am pleased to announce our school is engaged in strategic computer-based test preparation. Students are practicing keyboarding/typing skills and how to answer SBAC test questions in collaboration with their teacher and peers in 10-30 minute time blocks.
CAASPP End-of-Year State Tests
The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, is in it’s second year of implementation. CAASPP is a state mandated testing program intended to provide information that can be used to monitor student progress and ensure that all students leave high school ready for college and career. CAASPP includes computer-based tests in English-language arts (ELA) and math as well as paper-based tests for science.
Computer-Based Assessments
Most students are required to participate in the SBAC/Smarter Balanced Assessments or the CAA/California Alternate Assessment of ELA and Math for grades 3-8 and 11. However, the following students will not take these summative tests:
- Students in grades K-2, 9-10, and 12
- English Learners who are in their first 12 months of attending a school in the United States will not take the ELA portion of the test, but will take Math.
Paper-Based Assessments
Only students in grades 5, 8 and 10 are required to participate in the CST/California Standards Test or the CMA/California Modified Assessment or the CAPA/California Alternate Performance Assessment of Science.
We encourage you to have your child tested because we believe that test results provide valuable information about your child for both you and the school. Participation is confidential and your child’s grades will not be affected. Parents/guardians may request their child not be tested with any CAASPP test or any specific content area (English, Math or Science). If you don’t want your child to take one or more CAASPP tests, submit a written request to the school prior to testing, ideally before February 24, 2018. Include the child’s/children’s name(s), birth date, grade, teacher’s name, the name of the specific test(s) or content area(s) they are to be exempted and a way to contact you such as your cell phone number or email address. You do not need to provide a reason for your request. Be sure to sign and date the request. Please note that, per state guidelines, if your request is received after testing has begun, any test(s) started before the request is received will be completed, scored and the results reported to you and included in the student’s records.
The district’s CAASPP testing window begins in April and ends in May. Our school will administer the SBAC Summative tests from April 9th 2018. Paper-based CST tests will be administered the week(s) of April 22nd.
Please note, parents will be able to experience the SBAC Practice Tests on our school computers “every Thursday night from 4-6 in A203 during the month of March. To get a sense of what the SBAC tests looks like on your own, you and your child can view the practice test online on the state’s Smarter Balanced Practice Test Web page athttp://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/practicetest.asp.
After the spring 2018 CAASPP testing, individual student score reports will be mailed home in the fall. Please let us know if you need to update your address by February 24, 2018 so we can support you.
If you have any questions about the California’s academic standards and/or assessments, please feel free to speak to your child’s teacher or to contact me at shawntaylor@peralta.edu or 510/464-3592
Parent & Caregiver Support Meetings
These meetings are designed to give parents and caregivers tools to best support their students while they complete their high school diplomas and take college courses. While these meetings are facilitated by professionals, the purpose of the meetings is for parents to exchange the tips and tricks that they have found useful in supporting their youths, and for parents and caregivers to support each other.
Gateway to College is a second chance education option and many of the students who attend may find the transition from not attending/not doing well in school to attending and receiving good grades difficult to manage. This can lead to stressful situations in the home. What follows is a list of some of the topics that will be discussed to mitigate this stress:
- The effects of trauma on learning
- Learning styles
- How to praise and reward effectively
- Effective consequences/sanctions
- Developmental Theory
- Establishing and upholding firm limits
- Resume writing/Completing applications
What follows are the dates and times of the Parent/Caregiver support meetings:
Requirements for Attendance
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- Reserve a space by calling 510.986.6941 or by emailing us at gateway@peralta.edu
- Arrive on time
Location of Parent/Caregiver Support Meetings Sessions
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- Information Sessions are held at Laney College, Building A, Room 203 (second floor)
- Laney College is located one block south of the Lake Merritt BART station and is also served by AC Transit; metered street parking is available near the campus (free after 6:00 p.m.)
Additional Information
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- Parents, counselors, friends and agency case managers, and/or loving and interested parties of students are welcome and encouraged to attend.
